Verizon, MCI clear state hurdles to merger

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Verizon and MCI said late Friday that the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has approved the merger of the two firms, the last of the state, federal and international approvals required for the two companies to be combined. The final state approval sets the stage for Verizon
VZ, -1.07%
to close on its acquisition of MCI
mcip
as planned early in January, the companies said in a statement. Since the transaction was announced in February, the companies have received formal approval from 22 states and the District of Columbia. Although additional formal approval was not required from other states, many of them reviewed the transaction and either approved it or decided to take no further action, the companies said.

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